Placement Year Review at Medical Engineering Resource Unit (MERU)

The Role

Role Description

Design and manufacture bespoke medical equipment for young people with disabilities as well as batch items

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

This job was never the same from day to day, and I learnt so much. The staff were amazing and extremely helpful, yet also helped you gain independance in a project. Unblike other places, you see project from start to finish, and see how it really does effect the end user, and how tiny little differences to a design can make an enormous difference to a family.

This was my dream job and everyone else has felt the same way since and before concerning this job.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I still get birthday cards and flowers for my graduation! There are not many placements who do that a year after you have left!

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Everyone was so supportive, even management, who is still giving support and guidance in projects and jobs.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Every day was different and only when on exhibitions did it get slow due to the low numbers who attended. I was given the number of projects that I could handle, so while I worked on 4 at one point, another student only was working on 1 and vice versa in the year! During the move there were a few days of boredom due to the projects being stopped during the move and waiting for builders etc to complete a certain task. This would not occur though in other years

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Because the charity moved during my placement year, we werent give the level of responsibility that normal students get, with their own client based project as previous years. I did however completely control a databse project, that worked on my strengths.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I learnt so much, that I was able to create a major project in my final year based on these skills. This by far is the best placement I can recommend if you can afford the low money recieved for the role

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

the atmosphere would be dependant on the project, so when a serious life threatening project came in, everyone worked hard and the mood was serious, trying to solve the problem ASAP. Otherwise the office was fun and interesting, with a caption photograph competition and the imfamous Timmy singing.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

There was a whole week concerning basic training which was organised as best as possible concerning the charity, as they never now what was going to occur. Through out the year, the engineers were so helpful in giving training in equipment and techniques where needed

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Each week there was a training day, where everyone, including my self learnt about a number of subjects, from disabilities to equipment. We were also both offered training if required. They were willing to send me to seminars, and I even attended a plastics lecture with the worlds leading expert.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• There were no perks with this placement year

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

Because its a charity, they have to get funding, so while some have got a job later on, being a small charity it would be difficult for this

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I went for lunch everyday wioth Becky when the charity moved to Epsom and went into London or walked home. because of the type of job though, there was alot of socialising on the job

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

didnt really go out, I went to church and that was good???

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Dont really know, I went into central london alot to meet with uni friends

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

There were a number of charity events or runs for MERU and other charities. I went to one for a nearby childrens hospital that was fun!

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

Its an amazing placement if you want to make a difference in someones life through design or engineering. If your interested in designing for those with disabilities, then this is the job for you! If not and you just want a leg up in the design field and get a high paid high flying job, try siemens.